WN10: Construction of water penning structures

This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Higher Tier capital grants 2025 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

Up to 100% of actual costs.

How this item benefits the environment

Constructing bespoke water penning or control structures supports raising water levels in lowland peat or restoring or creating habitats.

Where you can use this item

With the agreement of Natural England, you can use this item only on sites where it is not possible to use standard soil bunds or sluices to raise water levels. It can only be done in combination with management actions or options to manage, restore and create habitats or features.

You will need to get any necessary consents or permits from the Environment Agency lead local flood authority or internal drainage board before starting any work.

You must also contact your local planning authority to check if planning permission is needed.

What you must do to use this item

You must:

• agree a detailed specification with Natural England
• provide at least 3 written quotations to complete the work including associated costings with your application
• agree the selected quotation with Natural England
• complete the works according to the agreed specification and timescale

You must not carry out any construction work related to the item unless you have approval from Natural England.

You should discuss and agree requirements that are specific to your site with your adviser.

Evidence you must keep

You must keep and provide with your claim:

• receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is not available
• photographs of the site during the different stages of construction or contracts, invoices or other documents confirming the technical specification for the completed works
• any consents or permissions from the local planning authority or evidence that you do not need consent or permission from your local planning authority

Evidence showing that you do not need consent or permission can be either:

• a letter from the authority confirming you do not need permission
• a note of a telephone conversation with the authority, with the names, date, and time
• a link to online guidance or printout of guidance text which shows you do not need permission

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.

Using this item

This item can be used for:

• raising banks
• installing gauge boards or tilting weirs
• installing wind or solar pumps and other structures for raising water levels

Applying for consent

You may need to provide fully dimensioned drawings with the specification when you apply for consent.